Texas Forest Service was created in 1915 by the 34th Legislature as an integral part of The Texas A&M University System. It is mandated by law to "assume direction of all forest interests and all matters pertaining to forestry within the jurisdiction of the state."

The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and the Texas Forest Service (TFS) coordinate numerous projects and activities to support fire departments and emergency response personnel across Texas. TFS supports many training classes conducted by TEEX offered through the ESTI Extension program, Area Schools, and at the Annual Spring and Municipal Training Schools.

Listing of TEEX ESTI Extension courses:

• All Area Schools
• All Extension Courses
• Introduction to Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting for Structural Company Officer (NFA)
• Cooperative Leadership Issues in Wildland/Urban Interface (NFA)
• Command and Control of Wildland/Urban Fire Operations for the Structural Chief Officer (NFA)
• Command and Control of Wildland/Urban Interface Operations for the Structural Chief Officer (NFA)
• Firefighter Training/Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior

TFS also provides nationally certified wildfire and emergency management training to fire departments and agencies across the state. TFS provide local classes and regional academies to promote firefighter and fire department development and safety. Wildfire and emergency management training is coordinated under the Incident Response Department and primarily conducted by Incident Response Department personnel, to insure what we teach is what we do.

TFS Training information

Other TFS support available:

Texas Forest Service is committed to train, equip, and assist local fire departments. To help accomplish this, TFS currently administers a number of highly successful fire department assistance programs including:

• TIFMAS Grant Assistance Program (2010) - NEW!
• Volunteer Fire Assistance (1975)
• Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) (1978)
• Helping Hands (1997)
• Rural Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Assistance Program (HB 2604) (2001)
• Rural Volunteer Fire Department Insurance Program (HB 3667) (2001)
• Firesafe (1986)
• Volunteer Fire Department Vehicle Liability Insurance (1995)
• Fire Department Training
• Death and Disability Benefits for Firefighters
• ALL TFS Assistance Programs

Rural VFD Assistance Program (HB 2604)

Created by the 77th Texas Legislature (HB 2604) the Rural VFD Assistance Program provides $25 million per year in grants for equipment and training. The Texas Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is a cost-share program funded by the Texas State Legislature. It provides funding to rural volunteer fire departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, county fire radio system components, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.

Since its inception in 2003, TFS’ Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program has awarded 716 fire engines, 5,168 pieces of fire equipment, and 21,673 sets of protective gear to fire departments across the state. Nearly 14,000 firefighters have received full grant funding for much needed training.